North Korea Unveils 20,000-Bed Wonsan Resort in Push to Revive Tourism

North Korea has completed the Wonsan–Kalma coastal tourist zone, a sprawling beach resort on the country’s east coast that can host about 20,000 guests along a four-kilometre stretch of sand. State media said leader Kim Jong Un cut the ribbon at a 24 June ceremony, joined by his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae—her first public appearance in roughly 18 months. The complex includes hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, sports facilities and a water park, and has been billed by Kim as “one of the greatest successes this year.”

The project, first unveiled in 2014 and originally slated to open in 2019, was delayed by funding problems and the pandemic. It is scheduled to receive domestic visitors from 1 July, with no timetable yet for general foreign tourism. Russian officials say the first organised tour from the Primorsky region will depart on 7 July, underscoring Pyongyang’s growing ties with Moscow. The Russian ambassador attended the inauguration, while no Chinese delegation was mentioned.

Kim described the resort as a “proud first step” toward expanding North Korea’s tourism industry and instructed officials to accelerate construction of similar sites. Analysts say the leadership hopes the venture will generate badly needed foreign currency as international sanctions continue to squeeze the economy. North Korea has allowed limited Russian tour groups since 2024 but maintains tight border controls for most other visitors.